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Quarterback Jay Barker came out of Alabama in the late 1990s amid so much hype and expectation, landing in Toronto, then amounting to virtually nothing.

If anything, it’s been proven that no amount of publicity and production at the NCAA level automatically translates into success at the CFL level. But it got comical for Barker, who played in Toronto when now general manager Jim Barker served as the Double Blue’s offensive co-ordinator.

When times got tough for the Argos, the chants of Barker sucks would resonate at the team’s Mississauga-based facility, unsavory comments directed at Jim Barker and not Jay.

Blake Sims won’t be confused with any of the Barker namesakes, but he is an Argo following in the footsteps of his Alabama alumnus.

Sims barely got off a throw on his first day at Argos training camp on Thursday after he arrived at York University on Wednesday.

Time is required and patience must be exercised because the learning curve is long and Sims has no clue about motion, the 20-second play clock or the extra man lining up on defence.

He’s as raw as it can get, a true rookie whose Alabama ties somehow qualify him for celebrity status, at least in that football-mad state.

With the Argos, Sims is just another quarterback to evaluate, a player whose skills may suit the CFL, but will have to learn the Argos’ passing offence and familiarize himself with the many nuances of three-down football.

The kid did get a quick look at downtown Toronto, acknowledging the traffic chaos that ensnares the core.

And he was wise enough to chat with Ricky Ray.

“I saw him throw a little bit,’’ said head coach Scott Milanovich of Sims, who wears jersey No. 4. “He didn’t get to do a ton, but it looks like he has a strong arm.

“From watching him at Alabama on TV, I’ve always felt he has the ability to throw the deep ball. Certainly above average, if not really good, mobility. You know he’s been very, very well-coached.

“I’m assuming he’s going to be a good leader. I’m anxious to see what he can do as we get to know him.”

At Alabama, Sims earned a name for himself, helping lead the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship and an appearance in the inaugural NCAA college football playoff before losing to eventual champion Ohio State.

“It’s one thing to learn the CFL game and, on top of that, you have to learn our offence,’’ added Milanovich. “And he didn’t have the benefit of being at mini-camp.

“He’s behind the 8-ball a little bit, mentally, but I think he’s a bright kid. We’ll be patient with him and we’re not expecting too much too soon.

“Earlier, he was asking Ricky how he studies, picking his brains. We’ll evaluate him as he goes and we’ll be patient with him.”

In other words, no one should ever get the notion that Sims will be lining up under centre any time soon, even with Ray likely out for the first handful of games because of off-season shoulder surgery. The Argos are putting the ball in the hands of Trevor Harris, who will be able to play through mistakes.

Sims did say that the Argos system reminds him a little of what Lane Kiffin ran at Alabama, but this isn’t college football.

Sims is going to have to walk before he can run and this early in the process, he’s at the crawl stage.

“I’m just happy to be here and have an opportunity to play with these great guys,’’ said Sims. “It’s been kind of crazy, trying to keep my toes down and staying above water and trying not to overwhelm myself a lot of times.

“The main thing for me is to stay positive and keep looking forward. (Ray) is a very nice guy and I’m glad to have the opportunity to play behind him and get the opportunity to learn from him. I hear he’s a great guy and I see it. He’s already helped me out with a lot of things.”

Sims attended rookie camp with the NFL’s Redskins, but Washington wanted Sims to play running back.

The Argos want him to play the quarterback position and there’s no such thing as having too many arms.

The question, however, is not quantity, but quality.

WAUD RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS TO BE

Daryl Waud’s heart was with the Argos and perhaps Toronto will even be his football home.

The homebrew defensive lineman will certainly get his chance, his long and winding road to the Argos ending this week when he and the club came to terms on a deal.

Waud was practising on Thursday once the formalities of the NFL’s waiver process had expired the previous day. He had tried out for the NFL’s New York Giants and Washington Redskins, who eventually signed the University of Western Ontario product.

But Waud, a hard-working kid from Hamilton whose dad was drafted by Toronto in 1983, pined to be an Argo and it’s probably best that he would begin his career at rookie camp, learning the Boatmen’s system and getting acclimated to life in the CFL.

“I’m happy to be here, out here working hard and getting better,’’ said Waud following his first workout on Thursday at York University.

As for his play, Waud was critical of his day.

“It was okay,’’ he said. “I wasn’t at my best, but I think that’s kind of the transition period now. I’m glad that I’ve got an opportunity to be at this camp before training camp begins.

“I can always get better and that’s what I strive to do each day.”

The Argos are thrilled to have Waud, their second-round pick, in camp.

“He really understands the Canadian game,’’ said head coach Scott Milanovich. “We’re trying to push him to play every down. I saw on film with Daryl flashes of brilliance, but maybe not the consistency you need at this level.

“Casey (Creehan, defensive co-ordinator) will certainly make sure that he gets pushed, let’s put it that way.”

LET'S TRY IT AGAIN

The bark, if not the bite, is back with Casey Creehan, but there’s a maturity and a sense that he’s in a better place this time around than his first stint as a defensive co-ordinator.

When Creehan joined the Argos last season, he was reunited with Tim Burke. And when Burke decided to part company with the Argos, head coach Scott Milanovich turned to Creehan, a hard-working coach whose one and only stint as D-C ended in failure with Hamilton in 2012.

On Thursday, Creehan was made available to the media for the first time since his promotion.

The guy is fired-up and the players have responded, but in this bottom-line business it comes down to wins and losses.

“I’m excited,’’ said Creehan, who will also handle the defensive line. “Luckily, we have a great organization here starting with a great general manager (Jim Barker) and I’ve got a head coach I’m working for who I think a lot of and he’ll help me through this process.”

Like players who are asked to fill in when an incumbent gets injured, Creehan understands it’s his job to perform when his number is called by Milanovich.

“A lot of things,’’ said Creehan of what he learned from his one-and-done time in Tigertown. “First thing, every situation is different. This situation is absolutely nothing like Hamilton in any manner.

“That was my first co-ordinator’s job and I learned some lessons and I continue to learn lessons. Guys 30 years in this business learn lessons every year.”

In a pass-happy league such as the CFL, attacking the backfield is crucial.

Before any schemes can be discussed, the best 12 players must be identified to take to the field.

“We will tailor our package to them,’’ said Creehan.

“I can tell you this: It will be aggressive, it’ll be hard-hitting and it will be multiple. We don’t want to give offences any pre-snap disguises. We want to be able to go to other things when things are working.”

One player Creehan is looking forward to coaching is defensive lineman Ricky Foley, a York grad whom the Argos re-acquired this off-season in a trade with Saskatchewan for Shea Emry.

“I’ve been coaching D-line off and on in this league for 11 years,’’ said Creehan.

“Ricky is a guy who has always liked this style I’ve used (aggressive, pressure defence). Even though I’ve never coached Ricky, we’ve always talked. He’s always said how he’d love to play in (my) style one day.

“We haven’t been on the same team, but we’ve always stayed in touch. Now we’re getting the opportunity to work together and he’s going to fit into this scheme beautifully.”

AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET

Two days into the Argos’ rookie camp and already it’s easy to see and feel how different the team plans on operating compared to seasons past.

Under Scott Milanovich’s watch, the pace at Argos practice, no matter the backdrop, is fast. But there’s an edge this time around, more accountability, more competition and better overall talent.

It’s a good sign, obviously, but no one can know with any certainty how long this tenor will last, how it will translate when the regular season kicks off in late June.

The air of urgency and desperation is palpable, the franchise playing its final season at the Rogers Centre with new owners coming on board.

Coming off a non-playoff year, the Argos must win or jobs will be lost, including some in high-profile positions.

Other than defensive halfback A.J. Jefferson, who has been very impressive, leaving practice to tend to a cut hand, the Argos were flying around, coaches getting into players’ ears with some blunt and colourful words.

“We had to beat it out of them for a minute, but they got the gist of it,’’ said Milanovich of Thursday’s session at York U. “There were parts of practice, I felt, that were really exceptional competitively and hopefully that shows up on film.”

In the absence of a full squad, coaches can’t be that demanding. Come Sunday, when the vets hit the field, the intensity will increase and so will the scrutiny.

“But we’re doing the best we can with the limited numbers out there,’’ added Milanovich.